Ellingson homicide case generates headlines and heartache

Editor's Note: The Oct. 3 print edition, which includes this article, was printed before Shannon Brandt was charged with Class AA Felony Murder on Sept. 30. For the most up-to-date information on the Ellingson murder investigation, click the link to read the most recent articled posted online: https://www.fosterconews.com/story/2022/09/26/news/shannon-brandt-charged-with-class-aa-felony-murder-bail-set-at-1-million/1564.html

The tragic death of 18-year-old Cayler Ellingson has prompted fundraisers and displays of support, but also a slew of serious questions and even death threats.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 18, a family and community were left reeling after Ellingson was allegedly the victim of a hit-and-run in McHenry, N.D.

According to court documents, Shannon Brandt, who's been charged with criminal vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal crash, admitted to hitting Ellingson after a political dispute.

Brandt also alleged the teenager was part of a "Republican extremist group," and that he'd been calling people to "come get him."

Brandt's version of events grabbed national attention, and invoked outrage among many who felt the fatal collision was politically motivated.

Investigators have said that nothing has been found to support Brandt's claim that Ellingson was a Republican extremist, or that the alleged vehicular homicide was motivated by politics.

"I can't get into details about what the witnesses are describing to us," said Captain Brian Niewind of the N.D. Highway Patrol on Sept. 23. "But what I can tell you is that this is not political in nature at all."

That hasn't stopped local public officials from receiving unsettling threats following the tragedy.

Danielle Koepplin, Foster County Clerk of Court, told the Independent that the Foster County courthouse locked its doors on Monday, Sept. 26, the day of Ellingson's funeral, due to threats directed towards county officials and their families.

"Our office has been inundated with threatening phone calls and emails regarding the open case," she said. "They're pretty colorful, pretty graphic ... and they're threats to my family and to other court personnel's families."

Clerk of Court for Eddy County, Patty Hilbert, said the decision was made to lock their front doors on Thursday, Sept. 22, following a "heated conversation" with one caller, and Foster County State's Attorney, Kara Brinster, said she's been receiving hundreds of emails and calls.

Brinster said some have warned they'll remove her from office, while others have left negative reviews on her business listing.

"We had to unplug the phones last week due to the frequency of the calls," she added.

Some of the anger being expressed has been exacerbated by Brandt posting bond and being released from the Stutsman County Correctional Facility just days after the alleged hit-and-run took place.

During Ellingson's bond hearing on Sept. 19, Judge James Hovey set bond at $50,000 cash or surety, matching the request of State's Attorney Brinster.

According to the Bond Envelope, Brandt posted bond himself the next day in the full amount of $50,000 cash. He has also retained his own lawyer.

The terms of Brandt's release prohibit him from having contact with the Ellingson family, from leaving the state and from possessing a firearm. He's also required to participate in the 24/7 sobriety program and must wear an alcohol monitoring bracelet.

He is not under house arrest and does not have a curfew.

By comparison, Matthew Braun, who's accused of burglarizing two downtown bars in New Rockford this summer, also had his bond set at $50,000 cash or surety, and as of press time still sits in the Stutsman County Correctional Center months later.

Many in the community feel Brandt's bail should have been set much higher than Braun's, and even national and statewide news agencies have questioned the bail amount.

Brinster told the Independent on Tuesday, "This is a high profile case and I understand that people have questions, however, I cannot discuss an ongoing investigation."

Eddy County State's Attorney, Ashley Lies, said bond is not meant to be punitive, and that its primary purpose is to "guarantee the defendant's appearance in court."

Among the factors considered when setting a person's bond, she said, are the nature of the offense charged, the weight of the evidence against them, the person's record of convictions, as well as their family ties, employment, financial resources, character and mental condition.

In Braun's case, Lies said bond was set where it was, in part, due to a history of felony charges in both North Dakota and Minnesota, and because he did not have family ties to the area - thus putting an increased emphasis on ensuring his appearance in court.

Regarding Brandt's case, she said, "It is easy for the public to question a prosecutor or judge's decision in setting bail, but few others beside them know the full criminal history of the person, or the weight of the evidence against the person, which is information that the public generally will not know until a case is taken to trial."

Brandt's next court appearance is set for Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. in Foster County District Court.